SEATTLE -- Lloyd McClendon was hired as manager of the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday, taking over a rebuilding job that Eric Wedge walked away from. McClendon becomes the third manager hired by general manager Jack Zduriencik. Wedge quit at the end of the Mariners fourth straight losing season, citing differences with the front office on how to move forward with improving the team. Wedges three-year contract expired after the season. The 54-year-old McClendon is the 16th full-time manager in club history. He takes over a club that went 71-91 last year. He will be formally introduced by the team on Thursday. "I am extremely excited about the opportunity to manage the Seattle Mariners," McClendon said in a statement. "Seattle has a tremendous group of talented players and the fans and city should be excited about the clubs future. Im looking for this group to take a big step forward." Seattle is the fourth club to fill its managerial vacancy. The Washington Nationals hired Matt Williams to replace Davey Johnson. The Cincinnati Reds, who fired Dusty Baker after a 90-win season, went with pitching coach Bryan Price as their new manager and Detroit chose Brad Ausmus to take over for Jim Leyland -- a job McClendon interviewed for. The Chicago Cubs are still looking for a manager. McClendon was the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2001-05, going 336-446 during the Pirates 20-year stretch of losing seasons. Pittsburgh never won more than 75 games or finished higher than fourth in the NL Central during his tenure and he was fired in early September of the 2005 season. After Pittsburgh, McClendon settled into a stable role Leylands staff in Detroit. For eight seasons, McClendon was a coach for the Tigers, including the last seven as hitting coach. He interviewed for managerial positions in Seattle and Miami during that stretch, but never got an offer. "Lloyd is a bright and articulate guy," Zduriencik said in the statement. "He has major league managerial experience and has served in a vital capacity in Detroit under one of the games best managers. He is a tireless worker and is very respected by the players with whom he has worked. We look forward to Lloyd embracing our players as we move the Mariners forward." Zduriencik didnt expect to be in this position. As of late September, Zduriencik was preparing for Wedge to be around to continue to rebuild Seattle into a contender. Instead Wedge left and Zduriencik was tasked with hiring the eighth manager or interim manager for the franchise since 2002. McClendon was one of five reported finalists for the Mariners job, a list that included Joey Cora, Oakland bench coach Chip Hale, Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach and San Diego bench coach Rick Renteria. McClendon was the only one of the group with previous major league managerial experience. Cora had ties to the Mariners franchise from his time as a player in Seattle. McClendon spent eight seasons in the majors as a player with Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and the Chicago Cubs. He immediately transitioned from a playing career into coaching, serving as a hitting coach for the Pirates in 1995 until he accepted their managerial position before the 2001 season. McClendon will likely need time to build a winner in Seattle even with a starting rotation anchored by AL Cy Young award finalist Hisashi Iwakuma and 2010 Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez. The Mariners havent been to the post-season since 2001, and there are numerous roster questions for the club playing in one of baseballs toughest divisions. Seattle has high hopes for young catcher Mike Zunino, shortstop Brad Miller and second baseman Nick Franklin. Justin Smoak solidified himself at first base after showing some consistency at the plate last season and third baseman Kyle Seager was the Mariners most reliable everyday player. But even with making a qualifying offer, it seems unlikely slugging designated hitter Kendrys Morales will accept a $14.1 million, one-year deal when there could be a bigger pot in free agency. Raul Ibanez hit 29 homers at age 41, but there its unclear if Seattle wants to bring him back, and hes not a long-term solution. The rest of the Mariners outfield is unproven and their bullpen struggled for stretches of the season. Philadelphia Phillies Gear .Y. -- Mark Steenhuis scored four goals and added two assists to lead the Buffalo Bandits over the Toronto Rock 12-10 in National Lacrosse League action on Saturday. Philadelphia Phillies Pro Shop . Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers (5) - Simply put, Lundqvist was brilliant. https://www.cheapphilliesjerseys.us/ . According to the CFL Scouting Bureaus January rankings, four of the top five Canadian prospects line-up on the offensive side of the trenches, which is good news for Bombers general manager Kyle Walters. With only one selection in the first two rounds — Walters sent his second-round pick to Saskatchewan in the days ahead of the 2013 trade deadline — the No. Philadelphia Phillies Store . The goals took Liverpools tally in the Premier League this season to 70, overtaking Manchester City as the top scorers, and left the fourth-place team just four points behind league leader Chelsea. Cheap Phillies Jerseys . Thats the feeling that eight Canadian Football League teams are experiencing right now in advance of the expansion draft to stock the Ottawa Redblacks.ERIE, Pa. -- Connor Brown had two goals and an assist as the Erie Otters edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 4-3 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Brown, who was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs 156th overall in 2012, leads the OHL in scoring with 11 goals and 25 points in 11 games. Dane Fox scored twice for the Otters (8-2-1), who extended their win streak to six contests, while Connor McDavid assisted on each of his clubs four goals. Michael Cramarossa, Brendan Gaunce and Chad Heffernan scored for the Bulls (2-7-2). Oscar Dansk made 18 saves for the win as Charlie Graham turned away 21 shots in defeat. Both clubs went 1 for 3 on the power play. --- Attack 4 Sting 2 SARNIA, Ont. -- Zach Nastasiuk scored twice and set up one more as Owen Sound doubled up the Sting. Kurtis Gabriel had a goal and two assists for the Attack (5-5-1) while Gemel Smith had the other. Noah Bushnell and Nickolas Latta supplied the offence for Sarnia (3-7-1). Brandon Hope made 32 saves for the win as Brodie Barrick turned aside 21 shots in defeat. --- Storm 5 IceDogs 4 (SO) GUELPH, Ont. -- Robby Fabbri scored once in regulation and the shootout winner as the Storm edged Niagara. Tyler Bertuzzi and Scott Kosmachuk had a goal and an assist each for Guelph (7-3-0) while Brock McGinn scored the other. Anthony DiFruscia led the IceDogs (4-4-2) offensively with two goals and an assist. Brendan Perlini had a goal and an assist and Jordan Maletta scored once.dddddddddddd. Justin Nichols earned the win by making 23 saves. Christopher Festarini stopped 23 shots in defeat. --- Frontenacs 6 Rangers 2 KITCHENER, Ont. -- Sam Bennett and Spencer Watson each had two goals and two assists as Kingston defeated the Rangers. Henri Ikonen scored once and set up three more for the Frontenacs (7-1-1) while Sam Povorozniouk added a single goal. Nick Magyar scored both of Kitcheners (4-4-0) goals. Matt Mahalak made 28 saves for the win as Tyson Teichmann stopped 36 shots in a losing cause. --- Generals 5 Knights 3 LONDON, Ont. -- Scott Laughton scored three times, including the winner shorthanded in the third period, as Oshawa beat the Knights. Jacob Busch and Michael Dal Colle also scored for the Generals (8-2-1) while Cole Cassels chipped in with two assists. Max Domi, Matt Rupert and Bo Horvat scored for London (7-2-1). Daniel Altshuller made 43 saves for the win. Jake Patterson stopped 38-of-42 shots in defeat. --- Whalers 3 Wolves 2 SUDBURY, Ont. -- Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 43 shots as Plymouth slipped past the Wolves. Carter Sandlak, Francesco Vilardi and Mathieu Henderson scored for the Whalers (6-6-0) while Brook Hiddink tacked on two assists. Mathew Campagna and Nathan Pancel scored for Sudbury (3-3-4). Franky Palazzese made 28 saves in a losing cause. ' ' '